Detectives from the Major Drug Squad have charged an additional three people and seized a range of drugs and weapons as part of an investigation into a syndicate linked to the trafficking of drugs of dependence across metropolitan Melbourne.
Police executed a warrant at a residential property on Spencer Street in Melbourne yesterday morning.
A 33-year-old Melbourne man was charged with a range of offences, including traffick drugs of dependence, possess drugs of dependence, possess prohibited weapons, handle stolen goods and possess identification to commit an indictable offence.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 November.
Police also executed a warrant at a residential address on A'Beckett Street in Melbourne on Thursday, 18 August.
A 27-year-old Melbourne woman was charged with traffick drugs of dependence, possess drugs of dependence, handle stolen goods, receive stolen goods, commit indictable offence whilst on bail and fail to provide pin code.
A 25-year-old Melbourne man was charged with traffick drugs of dependence, possess drugs of dependence and possess proceeds of crime.
The duo was bailed to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 17 October.
A 27-year-old Melbourne man was previously charged on 8 July with traffick large commercial quantity methylamphetamine, attempt to traffick large commercial quantity of 1,4-butanediol and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 October.
A 29-year-old Melbourne man was released pending further enquiries.
Over the course of the investigation, police seized 3.6 tonnes of 1,4-butanediol with a street value of approximately $7M, approximately 1kg of methylamphetamine, varying quantities of ketamine, cocaine and MDMA capsules, 250 prescription drug tablets, a small quantity of psilocybin, a small quantity of lysergic acid, other various prescription medications, 10 high end designer handbags, approximately 100 identification cards believed to be stolen or forged and a cache of prohibited weapons, including knives, batons and conducted energy devices.
The four-month investigation was conducted with the assistance of Australian Border Force.
Anyone with information about illegal drug trafficking is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector James Sullivan, Major Drug Squad:
"Victoria Police will continue to make it as difficult as possible for these syndicates to bring harm to Victoria.
"To be able to make these arrests and seizures highlights the continued local demand there is for a range of drugs. Ultimately, we really need to challenge attitudes around the use of illicit drugs in the community.
"The amount of 1,4-butanediol seized in particular is substantial and had the potential to cause immense and possibly fatal harm here in Victoria.
"This is often a drug of choice for users because it's relatively inexpensive, however it's highly unpredictable and because it works slowly in the body, we have seen a number of overdoses over the years.
"Our aim is to ensure we disrupt the organised crime syndicates responsible for these imports, so to charge four people as well as effecting these seizures is extremely satisfying."
ABF Superintendent Dan Peters praised the officers involved in discovering the illicit drugs.
"Organised crime groups go to extreme lengths to make the importation of illicit goods appear legitimate," Supt Peters said.
"The ABF has not only the ability to detect hidden illicit drugs and precursors, but the systems and processes to defeat their attempts to appear as genuine importers of legitimate goods.
"These arrests demonstrate that strong law enforcement partnerships can prevent and disrupt organised crime syndicates attempting to import illicit substances into Australia."
